It takes an Eagle’s eyes to observe his political grandeur from a comfortable distance yet his countenance remains unassuming, mystically calculated but admirably focused. In the yesteryear, when stones were hurled at his personality in his bid to better the prospects of Kogi state by venturing into politics, he remained unperturbed and showcased the rarest spirit of patriotism by preaching the virtues of patience hinting that “it is not the end of the road”. Alhaji Jibrin Isah (Echocho) is a man after God’s own heart. His perception about humanity paints a positive disposition of a mere mortal jostling for perfection in a radar full of humanitarian gestures amidst needless distractions in some quarters of critics who are readily available. However, it is a crime to be loved by everybody therefore haters of Echocho are not seen as detractors rather they are fulfilling the holy scriptures.
From his days as the helmsman of the defunct AfriBank, Alhaji Echocho has remained a household name especially in Kogi East. His unrelenting quest concerning human capital development is topnotch; it is second to none. For this trailblazer par excellence, it is better to live for humanity than to rob humanity (human beings) of tenable opportunities. Interestingly, Alhaji Jibrin Echo has lived a life of hope and his vision for the people of Kogi state (and his immediate constituency) would continue to unfold thereby paving way for better days ahead. There is no gainsaid that the yearnings of the people are inexhaustible but it is better to be part of the process than to champion clueless relays of destructive criticisms full of unresearched blunders.
My charge of admonition is laced on the margins of a true life experience: My notion about Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho changed the very moment I met with him and heard his own side of the story. Everybody cannot meet with him but some of us who are opportune to interact with him (and asked questions) are willing to tell the story. I strongly nurse the reverie of my readers casting lazy aspersions in the aftermath of digesting this content but a popular Nigerian Actor (also a former Lawmaker) once said, “if you say the truth, you will die. If don’t say the truth, you will die” but in my case, I have resolved to tell the truth and to live in the aftermath.
In fairness to Echocho, his first outing in the hallowed chamber (2019–2023) recorded a pinch of shortcomings which was triggered by the Lawmaker’s easygoing posture. In other words, he trusted supposed allies and attempted to initiate many projects through these same set of people who failed to deliver the dividends of democracy even though they acted as third parties. This is bound to happen especially when you entrust responsibilities in the hands of wrong personnel. In the second instance, Echocho is not a man who believes in blowing his own trumpets, he does not believe in media propaganda but unfortunately this style of politics as it concerns social media paparazzi is a topnotch game especially in Africa and relatively in Nigeria.
Politicians prefer to showcase even the projects they did not initiate on the media. In a contrast basis of assessment, Senator Echocho does not bother to upload community development projects to the media space but henceforth, we shall meet up with your expectations by ensuring you are carried along. To this end, I bet some of his critics to ask vital questions or better still, visit your immediate communities on a fact finding mission. You will discover many project facilitated by the Lawmaker which are unannounced. Indeed, a prophet is not valued in his hometown but it is a statement of fact that Senator Echocho is an asset to humanity.
As Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho settle down to work in his second outing (2023–2027), it is advisory that the people of Kogi East (Igala/Bassa) join hands together to support the Chief Servant of the Masses. Echocho is a golden voice in the Red Chamber and his contributions to proceedings including the sponsorship of bills on the floor of the Senate is a testimony that he is poised to deliver.
In the words of Senator Jibrin, “I promise to serve you better”.
– Jerry Ochada, a journalist, writes from Abuja.
